Do You Need to Hire a Restaurant Consultant?

When It’s Time To Hire A Restaurant Consultant

Are you thinking of opening a new restaurant? Maybe your current restaurant isn’t as profitable as you think it could be. Or perhaps you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed running a business and would like some coaching. If any of these scenarios sound familiar, you may be in the market for a restaurant consultant. Loosely defined, a restaurant consultant is an independent person hired to work for a client (in this case, you) and help them achieve a certain set of goals for their business. They offer industry knowledge and objective business advice, and their only job is to help your restaurant thrive.

In the restaurant industry, there is sometimes a stigma surrounding hiring a consultant. Much as people tend to keep their therapy sessions to themselves, it’s hard to admit you need help from an outside source—especially in as fiercely competitive field as foodservice. But restaurant consultants are nothing to be ashamed of, and their services are designed to help you thrive. These trained professional “coaches” have seen nearly every scenario out there. So when you bring your proposal to the table, they’re going to be well-equipped to handle it—if you find the right one, that is.

When you’re looking for a consultant, ensure they can speak to you about their previous successes. They need to prove their past solutions have worked for other restaurants, and they need to empower you with the tools you need to successfully run your business after they’ve left. That means that if they’ve implemented new systems or processes into your business, they’ll need to provide hands-on training for you (and your staff, if needed) on them. What good is a brand-new system if you have no idea how to maintain it?

There are lots of reasons to hire a consultant. If you already own a restaurant and are experiencing a lull in sales, or employee morale is low, or maybe you’re having trouble hiring the best talent, a consultant can offer an objective view and combine that with their historical experiences to offer you the best plan of action. Their role is to provide solutions for the problems that are really stumping you as a business owner. Even if you’re feeling overwhelmed with the responsibilities that come with your position, having a coach on-hand to deliver recommendations for getting you mentally back on track is a smart solution. Are you doing especially well and want to expand into an additional location? Consultants can help you create operating procedures and develop training resources for future employees.

Perhaps you’re not a business owner yet but are thinking about opening your dream restaurant or purchasing a franchise. You’ll need a business plan first, and a restaurant consultant is the ideal person for the job. They can also help with menu development and hiring the best staff, or they can assist you in choosing where to break ground or which franchise makes the most sense for your budget.

In closing, restaurant consultants can offer solutions to the problems you may not be equipped to solve yourself. Sometimes you have to call in the professionals if you want to realize ultimate success. Hiring a restaurant consultant does come with a price tag, however. So if you’re thinking of taking the leap, it pays to consider a small business loan from the restaurant financing experts at ARF Financial. With decades of experience and millions of dollars in fundings, there is simply no other place that can offer you the money you need—and fast. Apply today to see how much you qualify for! There’s no obligation, no fees, and no risk. Come learn what ARF Financial can do for your business now!